Pogonomyrmex californicus, the California harvester ant, standing guard at the nest entrance.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
Pogonomyrmex californicus, the California harvester ant, standing guard at the nest entrance.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
Pogonomyrmex californicus, the California harvester ant, standing guard at the nest entrance.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
Pogonomyrmex californicus.  Most members of the genus Pogonomyrmex have a basket-like structure on the underside of their head made from long hairs. Called the psammophore, it helps the ants carry loose sand in low-humidity climates where sand grains do not stick together easily.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
Pogonomyrmex californicus, the California harvester ant

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
Pogonomyrmex californicus, the California harvester ant, standing guard at the nest entrance.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
Pogonomyrmex californicus, the California harvester ant, standing guard at the nest entrance.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
Pogonomyrmex californicus, the California harvester ant, standing guard at the nest entrance.

Mojave National Preserve, California, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013